Perspectives for September 2026

Yes, change is the only constant. Yet, when we think about change – there is change that happens that we cannot control, and there is change that we can affect; ways we can work for change. To create change in our lives and world, to be seeds of change, a key ingredient is active hope. Ecophilosopher and Buddhist scholar, Joanna Macy, coined the phrase “Active Hope” to make a clear distinction between optimism (just thinking everything will be alright) and a form of hope that motivates us to act to make the change we hope to see in our world and in our lives.

Many of the changes we are experiencing in our world – from the climate crisis, to the destruction of institutions, to the roll backs on human and civil rights and democracy – are changes we do not support. Denying these changes isn’t helpful, but feeling powerless amid them also doesn’t motivate action. Cultivating practices that feed a sense of active hope is crucial to both our spiritual resilience and actually making positive change. This form of hope is both clear-eyed and honest about the challenges we face, yet never letting go of our core values and working to make them realized. This is the hope we need to be seeds of change. This is the active hope we will explore and find ways to cultivate this month.

Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Lead Minister

revsfg@uubloomington.org

This year’s overarching theme for worship is Be Seeds of Change. One way that we are embodying that on the UU Board is by dedicating a portion of each meeting to a discussion of Powerful Questions. We put forth an open-ended question to discuss as a group for 20-30 minutes at the beginning of the meeting. The purpose is to flip ourselves out of the high-efficiency, list-checking mindset of daily life and into a deeper, more complex discussion. That way, when we emerge, we have a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other and a more solid base for moving through the work we do.

This moment in time calls us to look at deeper questions of identity – who we are, who we want to be, how we want to be in relation to our earth, and to the people we share it with. Specifically for UUCB, we are asking, What do we want to call ourselves? How do we want to manage our current space with our growing congregation? How can we nurture each other with our various ages, needs, gifts, and abilities? The hope with Powerful Questions is that by intentionally setting our minds to these larger questions for a portion of the meeting, we can address the more day-to-day questions with this larger perspective.

Mary Craig brought this practice to the board after she, and a few others, attended some UUA-sponsored congregational leadership gatherings that used it. We’ve dedicated this year to seeing how it works for us – whether it helps us Board members become more fertile seeds for change.

By Pam MacLaughlin, Board Member at Large

Introducing Maria Renner

The Ministerial Internship Committee is pleased that Maria Renner, a seminary student and UU from Indianapolis, has accepted the position of ministerial intern. We will introduce Maria at the service on September 6, 2026 as she begins her 10 month internship with us. That day, we will have a special reception including sweet treats between services. We will also provide more details on the various roles Maria will be assuming at UUCB.

Maria is currently a seminary student at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Since she will also be doing course work, she is unable to work full time as our intern. We have negotiated a 75% time position from September through the end of June. We believe this will help provide additional ministry support to our growing congregation and it will meet the UUA’s requirements for an internship. Maria will be commuting from Indianapolis for the position.

Maria sent us the following introductory greeting:

Hello UUCB,

I’m honored and excited to be joining the congregation as your ministerial intern beginning this fall. I am a Mexican American Master of Divinity student at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Over the past several years, I have been involved in worship leadership, pastoral care, religious education, and congregational life within Unitarian Universalism in Indianapolis. Outside of ministry and seminary, I enjoy hiking, spending time outdoors, and being with my son.

I look forward to participating in the life of the congregation, building relationships and continuing to grow in ministry through our shared work together. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to meet you all in the months ahead.

Thank you again,

Maria Renner

Spiritual Centering: A meditative practice of collaging and writing
Saturday, September 26, from 1-4pm in the Library/Room 208

Register Here
We will create sacred space with our circle of participants--all genders welcome--with a poem, guided-meditation, and colorful introductions. We'll listen, write, and collage together; and share (or not) our writing. Notebooks to collage, and collage materials, scissors, and glue will be provided. And a snack! Facilitated by Glenda Breeden. Saturday, Sept. 26, 1-4pm. Minimum 6, Maximum 12

From the Social Justice Task Force of the Month: Rainbow Rights

On the corner of 4th and College, you can now find a new “safe and sober place for the whole LGBTIQ+ community, our family, and friends to gather and call our own, where we can find what we need to live our fullest lives.” Run by Protect Our People Connect, The Front Door is a new community center that will offer an alcohol-free space in Bloomington that welcomes a wide array of people in their whole selves. This includes spaces to hold meetings to organize support for queer communities, as well as a general sense of belonging for our diverse community members to be and be supported.

The soft opening occurred during Bloomington Pridefest on Saturday, August 22, and a shining feature of community support is their gender affirming closet. In a Facebook post, they celebrated the generosity the community has shown so far and urges more, saying, “we are forever accepting clothing and footwear donations if they’re in good shape and not funky.

Chairs and tables are clean and ready to be put on the floor now that most of the painting and patching and other stuff is done! …. We had full houses of volunteers, and we have a phone! … 812-369-5909.”

For years, I have heard how amazing the Spencer Pride center has been for those able to commute to Spencer, but now our community has its own location–especially for youth who may be transportation limited and/or housing insecure. And for people looking to donate clothing and furniture that may help support queer community members that struggle to find support in their needs, you can donate directly to the center during their open hours, calling the number above with any questions about specific donation requirements and needs.

For any questions about how you might participate or ideas about how we might support their operations and programming, contact the center at info@lgbtiq.center or email our task force at this link to get more involved in community connections. You can also follow updates on the center’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LGBTIQCommunityCenter/

From the Green Sanctuary Task Force

On Tuesday, September 29th, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, join Green Sanctuary members in Fellowship Hall for a vegetarian potluck and gathering to watch the live-streamed keynote address by environmental activist and author Bill McKibben, who founded 350.org and Third Act. He will encourage our community to organize with courage to confront the fossil fuel industry and advance climate and environmental justice.

Please register for this Summit so we know that you plan to attend the keynote address at UUCB! There is no charge for Community Member tickets. After registering, choose the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington from the list of Watch Party sites and come to the UUCB Fellowship Hall for the keynote address on the 29th. (Faith in Place will send you an email a few days before with instructions on how to join via Zoom if you prefer.)

Questions? GreenSanctuary@uubloomington.org

From the Chalice Circle Executive Team

Circle Up! Circle Around! The time for forming Chalice Circles is coming soon. You will be hearing more in upcoming Newsletters, Sunday announcements and during the Getting Involved Fair on August 30th. Registration will begin September 13th to the 27th, with circles beginning in October.

And if you are curious about the practice of deep listening or have not participated in the past due to schedule conflicts, we are offering something new. A drop-in circle will be offered each month either at UUCB or on Zoom with registration in the Friday update.

Chalice Circle Exec Team: Bob Appelman, Sarah Barnett, Debbie Fish, Emily Phelps, Rich Slabach

Testimonial from Jenny Vessels

Hi, I’m Jenny and I am a deist. I’m not sure if there is a separate Mind responsible for the creation of the universe or if the Universe itself is sentient, but I’ve got some time to figure that out. What I do know is that when I felt disconnected from my community, the Universe led me to the UUCB community. And when I felt invisible, the Universe led me to a Chalice Circle.

The deep listening at the core of the Chalice Circle framework gives me the chance to explore personal topics and see things from the viewpoint of others. I really value that, especially when the pace of life results in greetings shouted in passing and listening to respond rather than to understand. Each time I meet with my Chalice Circle, I feel seen and it’s a privilege to contribute to that feeling for others. I’ve been introduced to new friends and met awesome mentors. I consider participation in a Chalice Circle one of the avenues toward my personal growth.

Jenny Vessels